Palm Beach Day Academy starts education center

An artist’s rendering of Palm Beach Day Academy’s new Mandel-Palagye Education Center. Construction has begun, inset photo, and completion is anticipated in the spring of 2018. Palm Beach Day Academy has begun construction on its new Mandel-Palagye Education Center. Architects Harvard Jolly of Florida and builder Ibis Construction anticipate completion in the spring of 2018.

The $7 million, 16,000-square-foot building is fully funded and will be on the east end of the school’s existing two-story academic building. The two structures will be linked by an enclosed second-floor skyway. The two-story building is named for Keith and Stacy Palagye and Mort and Barbara Mandel, parents and grandparents of current-day students. It’s on Flagler Drive near the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

“Our children and grandchildren have attended Palm Beach Day Academy for 21 years, with another 10 years ahead of us,” Mrs. Palagye said. “We are completely invested in the mission of the school and are especially pleased to be a part of a large group of donors who have given to the Flagler campus’ new education center,” she said. “It is a brilliant design, a comprehensive and state-of-the-art education center for our little ones, and (it’s) worth every penny being spent on it.”

HARVARD JOLLY OF FLORIDA / COURTESY IMAGE The new landscape will create a series of destinations for creative teaching, learning and social interaction, sources say. The building’s architecture will inspire discovery through openings and natural light with fluid and connective spaces inside and outside of classrooms.

“The new Mandel-Palagye Education Center will provide more flexible learning spaces for students to explore, discover and collaborate in creative ways,” said Palm Beach Day Academy’s head of school, Dr. Edwin Gordon. “Its innovative design allows for expanded teaching and learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics education,” he said, adding that the new building can serve as a hub on the school’s lower campus where students, faculty and community can gather to address “real-time, real-world challenges” in education, professional development, the arts, literacy and neighborhood revitalization.

Dr. Gordon noted that because Palm Beach Day Academy is recognized for preparing its students for the best secondary schools possible, it has been a deciding factor for businesses moving executives to the area. “PBDA’s greatest legacy is that it really strengthens our community as a whole,” he said. Palm Beach Day Academy has grown from a cottage colony school in 1921 to a day school serving about 500 greater Palm Beach area students.

Its lower campus serves students from age 2 to third grade in West Palm Beach. Its upper campus serves grades 4-9 in the town of Palm Beach. To learn more, visit www.pbday.org or call 561-655-1188. ¦

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